Understanding Revelation
Series Revelation Overview
Understanding Revelation (Rev 1:1-3)
Intro: "Jesus wins"
"Prediction is very difficult, especially about the future." 1:3, "Blessed is he who reads & those who hear..."
Purpose of the Book
Rev 1:1, cf 1:3, 22:10,16.
Basic principles of apocalyptic interpretation
Standard apocalyptic literature & should be read like Isaiah, Daniel, Ezekiel, Zechariah, etc.
4 basic schools of approaching Revelation
Preterist: 1st century fulfillment in judgment upon Jerusalem
Historicist: Judgment upon (Jerusalem &) Rome
Futurist: Right before final judgment
Idealist: No specific judgment in view
Evaluation: Purpose statements (above) plus 2:10, 3:10, & many other references to immanent judgment eliminate all but Historicist. The cities are interpreted with startling clarity (11:8, cf Is 1:10, Ez 16:53, etc; & 17:7-10, 18, see 1Pe 5:13).
Basic outline
- Intro(1)
- Seven churches: "The things which are" (2-3)
- Seven seals: "The beginning of sorrows" (4-7)
Cf Lk 21 & Lk 23:27-31. - Seven trumpets: "The judgment of Jerusalem" (8-11)
- Seven bowls: "The judgment of Rome" (12-19)
- The Millennial Reign (20:1-10)
- New Heavens & New Earth (20:11-22:5)
- Conclusion (22:6-21).
Philip Schaff: "Undoubtedly he had in view primarily the overthrow of Jerusalem & heathen Rome, the two great foes of Christianity at that time."
Application
God has given his people an encouragement that he is still reigning through all this destruction & persecution.
This balances triumph & suffering, see Rev 12:11.
Sermon ID | 113082112455 |
Duration | 50:09 |
Date | Jan 13, 2008 |
Category | Sunday - PM |
Bible Text | Revelation 1 |